Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1887-07-21

4Orlt he said to his wife after the
visit of distinguished art critic to hi:
studio. '''Carper says it will take the
town by storm-and so it will"
II wish you could sell it soon. .
sighed Mrs. Megilp. II often feel un.
comfortable about that dreadful bill
of sale-it's like what s-his- name ;.
sword hanging over our heads"
''Oh. the furniture is safe enough. ~
replied Michael Angelo, lightly. "Bu1
l tell you what it is, Madge. it handi.
caps me frightfully to have q bill Of
sale registered against me-"
why don't you 60 and see Zerub.
babel and try to come to terms with
'him!' suggested Mrs Megilp. ''O1
course, he has heard of 'Chloe'-every
one has-and if you promise to pay
him when you have sold your picture,
surely he can't refuse to give you back
| that horrid document
Though hardly taking this optimis-
| tic view of matters, Megilp acted Oh
his wifes advice, and forthwith paid q
visit to Mr. Zerubbabers shop.
When he had preferred his request
the bIc-a- brac seller smiled and shook
his head.
"Micah Zerubbabel wasn't born yes
| terday," he said with a cunning look
in his twinkling black eyes. "YOur
picture mayn't be worth five pound
| note"
"It's worth ut least f5OO." broke in
! the artist redenning. 'Carper said
so."'
who's Carpere But even if the
picture were worth f5Oo," grinned Mr..
Zerubbabel 1T wouldn't pay me to
buy it at such price. But why do
You want to quash the bill of sale?"
Il want to be rid of the business, 1t
doesn't suit me to have thing of this
sort hanging over me-in fact it is
against me in my profession.
Better find the goo then replied
the money-lender. insolently; but per-
sonally am not fond of buying pigs
in pens. or pictures by unknown
artists, though perhaps other people
may be- 1t is, however. for sou to find
them, not for me. Good morning. my
dear sir. Sorry can't oblige you"
'.Horrid old scamp" muttered
Megilp. as he left Zerubbabel's shop and
turned his face westward
mot to be caught by chat, my fine
shentleman'' commented the amiable
bric-a-brac dealer, turning back into
his dingy abode. "YOu don't get of
your bargain SO easily rs that" Then
he proceeded to unlock freproof safe
in the corner of his sanctum. and
gioated greedily over the documents
reposing therein. documents which
represented some remarkably hard
bargains driven by Mr.. Zerubbabel
with his lawful prey, men in difficult
ties. He was interrupted in this pleas
ant recreation, one in which he usually
spent any spare moments he could
snatch from business, by the entrance
Of friend and compatriot, one Abiram
Levi, pict.lre-dealer by profession.
After an exchange of amicable greet
inss the two gentlemen spent half an
hour or so in confidential ccnversa-
ton on the state Of their respective
trades; then as . pleasant des1uUre-
mems after this head work, they i'm
bibetl several glasses of brandy and
water and smoked rs many high-fla-
vored cigars.
Perhaps Mr.. Levi consumed more
than his fair share OF these luxuries. for
in moment of expansion he began to
talk over his business projects for the
coming season.
1--WE got a capital thing in view. ]
don't mind telling You about it, Ter
ubbsbel, nv dear boy. for you're not
in the same swim. so it doesn't matter.
Have you heard of young Megilp's
acadeny picturc?'
Zerlbbabel shook his head. but
leaned forward eagerly. with his cum
ming eyes fixed upon Mr. Lewis flushed
cOuRtenance.
"Splendid thing-safe to make a
sensation. l mean to get hold Of it
cheap, if can; and as he's only a
young fellow. and apparently hard up,
the chances are shall"
Think the picture really worth hav-
ing?" said Zerubbabcl, with depre-
catory shrug.
Not doubt about it. You see its
an attractive subject, and .As that is
sure to take the public. They don't
like your grand historic pictures.
They prefer some thing pretty and
pastoral. and that sort of thing. Bet
you what yoa like that Megilp's pic
tnre'n be hung on the line. At all
events. Tn going round to his studio
in a few days ~ make him an offer
for H."
Mr. Zerubbabel smiled. and rubbed
his hands oomplacently. He had learned
some thing that ight be useful to
him.
He didn't get rid of Mr.. Levi until
late in the afternoon. consequently it
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